In this 2011 TEDxWomen talk, she discusses the importance of teaching our young girls how to effectively represent their needs in relationship – including how to manage conflict and failure. Rachel talks powerfully about the psychological glass ceiling that affects women today:

Be powerful, but nice.

Be smart, but don’t make anyone uncomfortable.

Be active, as long as you’re skinny and sexy.

Rachel’s talk on Resilience is prefaced by a talk from Claire Sannini, a young girl who talks eloquently about losing a group of friends at school.

I agree with Rachel that supporting girls is a critical component of having empowered women in the workforce – not all girls know how to advocate for themselves effectively, especially when there is a cultural pressure to be likable at all times. Mothers have an important role in teaching their daughters how to be assertive.